Burley back with a bang

George Burley made a dream return to Scottish football when his new-look Hearts brushed aside Kilmarnock 4-2 on the opening day of the new Bank of Scotland Premier League season at Rugby Park.

Goals from new boys Rudolf Skacel and Roman Bednar were complemented by a beautiful strike from Saul Mikoliunas and a Paul Hartley penalty to give Ayrshireman Burley the perfect start as Tynecastle boss.

Steven Naismith opened the scoring for former Hearts manager Jim Jefferies' Killie in the 12th minute but the Jambos responded in a manner which will have delighted Burley. Gordon Greer gave the home side hope with a 74th-minute header but Killie never looked likely to grab an equaliser and were finished off by Hartley's late spot-kick.

The three points were total vindication of Burley's decision to start with Bednar, Skacel and Edgaras Jankauskas despite their lack of match fitness and of the new men Bednar displayed the most promising early touches, impressing with dangerous flick-ons from long balls as well as with some excellent close control.

Naismith found himself unmarked in the six-yard box and hooked Peter Leven's long throw-in past Craig Gordon in the 12th minute.

But Hearts hit back within a minute when Jankauskas crossed from the left, Bednar forced a tremendous save from Alan Combe but the ball fell to Skacel, who slammed the equaliser into the roof of the net.

The visitors made the perfect start to the second period when they took the lead after just 51 seconds. From Skacel's deep left-wing cross, Jankauskas headed the ball back into Bednar's path and the 22-year-old nodded the ball past Combe via the inside of the post.

Mikoliunas put Burley's men further ahead in the 61st minute. He was teed up by Bednar and Paul Hartley 20 yards out and the skilful midfielder curled a beautiful left-footed shot into Combe's top right-hand corner.

Greer stepped forward to head firmly past Gordon in the 74th minute to give the home side hope of a recovery. But two minutes from time Locke brought down Jankauskas and Hartley made no mistake from 12 yards out to seal the win.

Taken from football365